Love at first sight (Heisuke x OC)

Chapter 43: Breaking the "Code"

Hijikata-san caught me leaving the Maekawa House when I went to visit Heisuke and gave me a stern talking to about why he didn't want me visiting the Fury Corps' quarters, especially on my own. So, I was back to not being able to see Heisuke much. In his absence, Harada and Nagakura had tried their best to keep me company and make sure I didn't feel lonely, but it just wasn't the same. I would never tell them this, but there was no way they could get rid of the loneliness created by Heisuke's absence. Still, I appreciated the effort they put into making me feel better. Speaking of things that happened at Aburano Koji...Chikage had attacked the headquarters during the Aburano Koji Incident causing many men to lose their lives. Some of the Shinsengumi had thought that I was working with Chikage since I was "conveniently" not present when he attacked. Both Kondou-sama and Hijikata-san sternly told the accusers that I had absolutely nothing to do with the attack, but that didn't stop them from insulting or bullying me whenever they got the chance. I wish Chikage would just stop making enemies wherever he goes...I sighed as I laid on my futon staring at my ceiling. Harada and Nagakura were on patrol meaning I couldn't hang with them. Saito-san was on an errand for Hijikata-san so he wasn't an option and we were told not to bother Souji because his tuberculosis was apparently getting worse. "Man, I've never felt so lonely before..." I chuckled sadly to myself. Maybe Ayame will be able to lift my spirits...I got dressed, did my hair and grabbed Aka Tatsu before leaving my room.

As I walked down the streets of Kyoto, I began thinking to myself again. Hopefully Ayame will be able to spare some time to talk...If not then I can at least treat myself to a nice meal. "Ah!" I bumped into someone because of my inattentiveness. I quickly looked up to see I had bumped into a Shinsengumi soldier with a group of three other soldiers. "Oh! Gomen, I wasn't paying much attention to my surroundings!" I bowed to the group, apologising for disrupting them from their duty.
"You're Chiyeko, right?"
"Um, hai. That's me, why?"
"We need your help with something"
"Oh, well I'll help a fellow Shinsengumi soldier anytime!"
"That's good to know, you guys stay here. I'm gonna show Chiyeko here that problem we're having"
"Sure, we'll be waiting for you" For some reason, the tone his friend used gave me a bad feeling. I'm sure it's nothing. Their problem can't be that hard to solve, can it? I followed him into an alley.
"So, what kind of problem are we dealing with?"
"It's a shocker, you know. None of us could believe it"
"This sounds serious...Are you sure I'll be able to help?"
"Trust me, you're a vital part of solving the problem"
"I'll have to take your word on it..." I began to feel uneasy as I followed the Shinsengumi soldier deeper into the alley. We reached an intersection in the alley where we met up with two of the Shinsengumi soldiers who were him. "Weren't you two supposed to be back there?"
"We're all right where we need to be" I whipped around to see the last Shinsengumi member who was with the one I bumped in to.
"W-What's going on here?" I was suddenly grabbed from behind by the man I followed in here. "Hey! What are you doing!?"
"You're the problem Chiyeko"
"Me!? W-What did I do?!" I questioned as I tried to break free.
"You just happened to be away when your brother attacked our headquarters? I don't think so" For some reason this only occurred to me now, but how in the heck did they even find out I'm related to Chikage?! Only the captains, commander and chief should know that!
"Yeah, you secretly met with him and told him when you'd be gone so he wouldn't have to face you"
"I wouldn't-!" I was cut off by a hard punch to the stomach by one of the men who were waiting for us in the intersecting alley. "Argh!? L-Let me go!"
"Let you go?" He punched me again, this time in the nose. I felt a warm liquid begin to run from my nose.
"P-Please stop this..."
"Our comrades said the exact same thing when your brother attacked and did he listen to them?" He punched me again in the gut. This time, the force behind the punch caused me to cough up blood. "No! He mercilessly killed them! And all because you betrayed us!"
"I-I didn't betray you...I'm telling the truth...Just ask any member of the 8th Division..."
"Oh please, everyone knows what you've done to them"
"Nani...?"
"Don't play dumb!" He punched me again. I was sure there was definitely some bruising on my abdomen by now. "You told them to back you or you'll get your brother to kill them too!"
"I would never-Mmmm!" The one who had appeared behind me stepped forward and tied a cloth around my mouth.
"You betrayed the Shinsengumi! We can all see what Hijikata-san and Kondou-san are too blind to see!"
"Mmm! Mhmm!" These guys are insane! I need to escape!
"And we'll deal with you the way the Shinsengumi is supposed to deal with traitors!" I'm NOT a traitor!
"We'll get revenge for the comrades we lost the day your brother attacked!" The last one finally spoke up. After saying this statement, he unsheathed his sword and wakizashi causing me to gulp.
"Mhm! Mmmhm!" I struggled with all my might and managed to break free, but they weren't about to allow me to unsheathe my sword. The one with his weapons out jumped for me and knocked me off my feet. I landed on my back and my eyes widened when the soldier lifted his swords. No! My thoughts were ignored and he plunged his katana and wakizashi deep into my abdomen, creating two fatal wounds. "Mmrrggh!!" Blood instantly rose up my throat and dribbled down my chin, staining the white cloth around my mouth red.
"And now-" He pulled his swords out and blood gushed from my midsection. "You'll join our comrades-Argh!" Suddenly, he collapsed and I saw a dagger buried into his leg. Who threw that...?
"Hey, who do you think you are?!" I followed the men's gazes and saw a figure wearing a long deep green cloak with a hood. I couldn't see their eyes, but their mouth was visible and it was clear that they were not happy.
"Oi, we're talking to you!" The figure didn't respond to their angered shouts.
"That's it, if you won't talk then we'll force you to talk!" They all drew their swords and rushed at the figure. That's when my vision began to blur. I looked down to see a large puddle of blood underneath me. My blood...I've lost too much of it...My thoughts turned to Heisuke as the world around me began to darken. Heisuke...Gomen...asai...I don't think I'll bounce back from this one...I'll miss you...The last of my strength left me as I was swallowed up by the eternal abyss of darkness.